15/03/2023  Happy Valley  Race 2

INSPIRING CITY was slow to begin and from a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. INSPIRING CITY then raced keenly in the middle stages. EUROMISSILE jumped only fairly, shifted out and made contact with EVER FORCE. Shortly after the start, M M JOHNNY was hampered when taken out by GENERAL ACE which shifted out and away from THE GOOD DEAL. M M JOHNNY was then shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Approaching the 500 Metres, HANDSOME GUYS was inclined to lay out when racing tight to the inside of THE GOOD DEAL. Near the 450 Metres, RAGING BLAZE was inclined to lay in before being corrected by its rider, K Teetan. Near the 200 Metres, INSPIRING CITY was shifted to the inside of EVER FORCE to continue into clear running, resulting in EUROMISSILE being taken in slightly. Then near the 50 Metres, INSPIRING CITY was shifted to the outside of THE GOOD DEAL to secure clear running. Passing the 200 Metres, HANDSOME GUYS was inconvenienced when awkwardly placed close to U W BROTHER which shifted in. Then close to the finishing line, HANDSOME GUYS was taken out slightly by JACK WIN. Near the 150 Metres, GENERAL ACE, which was inclined to lay in, was steadied when awkwardly placed to the inside of RAGING BLAZE which was also inclined to lay in under pressure in the Straight. When questioned regarding ALLOY KING being ridden back in the field, H Bentley stated that from his wide barrier connections were of the view that with anticipated good speed drawn to his inside, ALLOY KING would not have sufficient pace to hold a forward position. He said for this reason he was asked to ride ALLOY KING in a conservative manner in the early stages to avoid being caught wide. Assistant Trainer C M Lai representing Trainer K H Ting, who was not present on course tonight, confirmed the instructions issued. A veterinary inspection of M M JOHNNY and CIRCUIT SPLENDOR immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of EUROMISSILE immediately following the race found that horse to be a "roarer” which had previously been reported. RAGING BLAZE and JACK WIN were sent for sampling.